School Board Drops A Stink Bomb
WHAT THE HECK?!
Late yesterday the Newport Mesa Unified School District threw a stink bomb into the proceedings of the Fairview Park Citizens Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for this evening at 6 p.m. at the Neighborhood Community Center.
PHEW!
That aromatic delivery came in the form of a letter from Superintendent Dr. Fred Navarro and School Board President Martha Fluor. I've reproduced the letter below. Click on the image to enlarge it.
MORE STRAIN BETWEEN DISTRICT AND CITY
Although there is no specific mention of it in the letter, his last minute bombshell implies that the school district apparently is tired of their relationship with the City in the form of the Joint Use Agreement between those two entities regarding the cooperative use of school fields. The implication anyone reading this missive is that the school board expects the Fairview Park Citizens Advisory Committee to recommend converting part of that natural park into playing fields.
SMITH ON THE ATTACK
Committee Vice Chair Steve Smith has signed in on this issue with a blistering blog entry, which can be read HERE. His perspective is important to consider because of his proximity to school district finance issues over the past few years and because of his leadership role on the Committee. He's been an outspoken critic of how the district manages it's cash.
BAILING OUT OF THE JUA?
According to some sources, this may be a preamble to the school district trying to bail out of the JUA, and that it may be trying to figure a way to do it without too much political damage. Well, let me tell you... this letter seems not to be the most tactful way to begin that kind of a conversation.
BAPTISM BY FIRE FOR SNELL
It is our understanding that brand new School District Trustee Vicki Snell will be delivering the letter to the Committee tonight.
MORE DRAMA
So, as if this meeting already didn't have enough drama on the agenda because of the consideration of a variety of potential active sports proposals which pits environmentalists and others who wish to keep Fairview Park natural against advocates for more active sports fields on the site, this new element is certain to draw a crowd - probably an unhappy crowd. I wrote earlier about this meeting, HERE. I suggest you arrive early and, if so moved, be prepared to address the Committee during the Public Comments section, which falls early in the agenda. Again, the meeting is scheduled to run from 6-8 p.m. in the Victoria Room of the Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Avenue (Lions Park). See you there.
Late yesterday the Newport Mesa Unified School District threw a stink bomb into the proceedings of the Fairview Park Citizens Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for this evening at 6 p.m. at the Neighborhood Community Center.PHEW!
That aromatic delivery came in the form of a letter from Superintendent Dr. Fred Navarro and School Board President Martha Fluor. I've reproduced the letter below. Click on the image to enlarge it.Although there is no specific mention of it in the letter, his last minute bombshell implies that the school district apparently is tired of their relationship with the City in the form of the Joint Use Agreement between those two entities regarding the cooperative use of school fields. The implication anyone reading this missive is that the school board expects the Fairview Park Citizens Advisory Committee to recommend converting part of that natural park into playing fields.SMITH ON THE ATTACK
Committee Vice Chair Steve Smith has signed in on this issue with a blistering blog entry, which can be read HERE. His perspective is important to consider because of his proximity to school district finance issues over the past few years and because of his leadership role on the Committee. He's been an outspoken critic of how the district manages it's cash.BAILING OUT OF THE JUA?
According to some sources, this may be a preamble to the school district trying to bail out of the JUA, and that it may be trying to figure a way to do it without too much political damage. Well, let me tell you... this letter seems not to be the most tactful way to begin that kind of a conversation.BAPTISM BY FIRE FOR SNELL
It is our understanding that brand new School District Trustee Vicki Snell will be delivering the letter to the Committee tonight.MORE DRAMA
So, as if this meeting already didn't have enough drama on the agenda because of the consideration of a variety of potential active sports proposals which pits environmentalists and others who wish to keep Fairview Park natural against advocates for more active sports fields on the site, this new element is certain to draw a crowd - probably an unhappy crowd. I wrote earlier about this meeting, HERE. I suggest you arrive early and, if so moved, be prepared to address the Committee during the Public Comments section, which falls early in the agenda. Again, the meeting is scheduled to run from 6-8 p.m. in the Victoria Room of the Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Avenue (Lions Park). See you there.Labels: Dr. Fred Navarro, Fairview Park, Fairview Park Citizens Advisory Committee, Joint Use Agreement, Martha Fluor, NMUSD, Vicki Snell
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 1/07/2015 11:25:00 AM
7 Comments:
Sounds like a set-up.
Open space for all trumps
playing fields for a few.
Wonder who twisted whos arm? What's Katrina's take on this? Come to the meeting, speak up. make some NOISE, it may not help, but at least YOU will fall asleep guilt free.
Where men do nothing, evil exists (something close!)
My guess: Riggy's doing things behind the scenes re the park like he did re the Fairgrounds.
Leopard,spots.
The district is correct that the city relies far too heavily on the district to provide and finance sports fields, which is no surprise. The city gets maximum benefit at a very low price point so there has been no incentive on the city's part to develop new sports fields. As for the demand, the number of kids hasn't increased over the years (in fact, it has decreased) but the number of teams has increased - especially in the "for profit" leagues which demand and receive NMUSD fields. The sports supporters know that the city will go along with pretty much whatever they want and the school board is loathe to oppose them because of the PR backlash - which is why we find ourselves in this situation. It's a "no win" situation however, for both the district and the surrounding homeowners since to oppose the use of the school fields (such as at 8:00AM on Sunday mornings at till 8- or 9:00 at night with the portable lights) receives little or no support from the community.So, I anticipate that no fields will be built at Fairview and the the district will bow to the demands of the sports groups and that permanent lights will be installed on a number of the Costa Mesa campuses - but if you live in Newport Beach, not to worry since the City of Newport Beach won't allow them on schools in their city. I wonder if my property values will increase since I will soon be living next to a sports stadium....
Yes, come to the meeting and be heard. But remember this: The best, fastest way for both sides to win is to start demanding that the school board increase access to our fields, with an emphasis on "our" because these facilities belong not to the district, but to the taxpayers of Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. That's you and me, folks. School board meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month. The next meeting is next Tuesday. See you there.
I'm curious. Does the fact that there is no park fees being charged to the developers anymore have anything to do with the city not having money to buy new space for sports fields? So, is it being made up for by "pay to play" such as with Matt Leinert? If we don't have space, then get rid of the Leinert group. I know they pay, but geez...do you want money or fields? Is this where the problem lies? Besides that of a stacked FPCAC?
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